Fluorinated gases (F-gases) are man-made gases widely used in industry. Although they don’t deplete the ozone layer, they are very powerful greenhouse gases, with a global warming potential (GWP)* 23,000 times greater than carbon dioxide. They account for 3% of the EU's overall greenhouse gas emissions, but this is increasing. In an effort to combat climate change, the EU plans to cut F-gas emissions by two thirds of the 2014 levels, by 2030. In 2015, the EU began phasing down the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the largest type of F-gas.
There are three types of F-gases, with hydrofluorocarbons accounting for 85% of their usage:
| Name | Known as | Use |
| Hydrofluorocarbons | HFCs |
|
| Perfluorocarbons | PFCs | Making everyday products more resistant to stains, grease, and water:
Also used in some firefighting materials. PFCs help reduce friction so are widely used in the following industries:
|
| Sulphur hexafluoride | SF6 |
|
